Burmilla Cat Breed: Size, Appearance & Personality

Overview

Characteristics

Compare Breed

Origin

United Kingdom

Height

20 - 25 cm

Adult weight

4 - 5 kg

Life Span

15-18+ years

Temperament

Intelligent, people-oriented, fun-loving, affectionate

Other Names

Asian Cat

Group

Medium-sized shorthair and longhair

Price

$500-$2,000

Affection Level

? Breeds with a high affection level want to give and receive a lot of attention, while less-affectionate breeds are not as interested in petting and snuggles.

0 100%

100%

Activity Level

? Breeds with high activity levels will engage more in active play and demand more space and attention.

0 100%

70%

Pet-Friendly

? How well the breed tends to get along with cats, dogs, and other pets.

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90%

Kid-Friendly

? Breeds with a higher rating in this area tend to be gentle and patient, while lower-rated breeds may feel uncomfortable with children.

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100%

Sociability

? Breeds with a higher sociability rating will want to spend time with you all day, while less-sociable breeds seldom seek out human interaction.

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90%

Intelligence

? Breeds with higher intelligence ratings are more curious, investigative, and easy to train. Less-intelligent breeds are less trainable but often laid-back and easygoing.

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90%

Playfulness

? Breeds that score higher in this area have strong hunting instincts that make them great playtime companions.

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80%

Independence

? Breeds that score higher in this area are able to spend hours alone, while less-independent breeds require plenty of attention.

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50%

Vocality

? A higher rating in this area indicates a breed prone to plenty of meowing and other vocalizations, while less-vocal breeds are happy to stay quiet.

0 100%

80%

Grooming

? Breeds with higher grooming scores require more maintenance like brushing and bathing, while lower-scored breeds are virtually maintenance-free.

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50%

Personality and Temperament

With a lovely personality to match their stunning good looks, the Burmilla cat offers the very best of the Burmese and Chinchilla Persian breeds.

The Burmilla is renowned for their laid-back temperament. The breed is family-friendly, with a reputation for getting along well with children and other pets. Cats and well-behaved dogs will find a steadfast friend in the Burmilla.

These gorgeous cats are playful but not hyperactive. They are quiet and not overly demanding, yet they thrive with plenty of attention from their families.

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Nynke van Holten / Shutterstock.com

Care

Nutrition

Grooming

Exercise

Health

Burmilla cats have no special nutritional needs. We recommend feeding your Burmilla cat high-quality food with plenty of protein and not too many carbohydrates. This breed can be prone to obesity, particularly in their later years.

Burmilla cats may have short coats or semi-long coats. Either coat type is low maintenance, requiring only weekly brushing or combing. Regular brushing cuts down on shedding and helps prevent hairballs.

Trim the nails every two weeks and peek into your Burmilla's ears once a week. If they look dirty, clean them with a pet-safe ear cleaner. If you notice any redness, contact your veterinarian.

Burmilla cats are moderately active, and enjoy playing together or with their human companions. Later in life, these cats may become a bit lazier, so it’s up to their human families to make exercise a priority. Daily activity and play is good for your cat's mental and physical health.

Burmilla cats are generally healthy, however they are susceptible to hereditary polycystic kidney disease and allergies. Reputable breeders do their best to produce kittens without kidney disease by having the parents screened before breeding.

History

The Burmilla came into being as the result of a happy accident. In 1981, Baroness Miranda Von Kirchberg of the United Kingdom purchased a Chinchilla Persian male kitten named Jamari Sanquist. Before she could have him neutered, he crossed paths with a lilac Burmese female named Bambino Lilac Fabergé.

As a result of the mating, four female kittens were born, named Galatea, Gemma, Gisella, and Gabriella. All four kittens had short hair and were a gorgeous shaded silver color. The kittens were so beautiful that subsequent breedings were arranged and a new cat breed was developed.

The Burmilla breed was established in the UK. The breed is gaining popularity but is still relatively rare, particularly in the United States.

JE Jevgenija / Shutterstock.com

Did You Know?

It can take up to five generations for a Burmilla cat breeder to develop Burmilla cats that are true to the standard.

Did You Know?

Burmilla cats do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. Consider a more independent breed if you spend most of your time away from home.

Did You Know?

Thanks to its Burmese and Persian background, the Burmilla cat is considered to be an Asian breed.

JE Jevgenija / Shutterstock.com

The Breed Standard

Eyes

The Burmilla cat has large and expressive eyes placed well apart at a slightly oblique setting. The eyes are any shade of green, with clear green preferred. Kittens and young cats under the age of 2 years may display a yellow tinge in their eyes. Amber eyes are permitted in red, cream, and torbie Burmillas.

Legs & Paws

A Burmilla cat's legs are proportionate to the body, with strong bones. The hind legs are slightly longer than the front. The paws have neat, oval shaping.

Tail

The tail is medium to long, tapering slightly to a rounded tip. In longhair Burmilla cats, the tail displays elegant plumage.

The Breed Standard

Body

The Burmilla cat is medium-sized, with a softly curved shape that’s similar to that of a Burmese.

Head

The head is gently rounded. It is widest at the eyebrow level and jaw hinge, then tapers to a blunt wedge at the muzzle. The profile should show a gentle dip and the tip of the nose should be in line with the chin.

Ears

A Burmilla cat's ears are medium to large in size, and broader at the base with rounded tips.

Coat

The coat is dense, with fine hairs that contribute a soft, silky feel. Burmilla cats may have short hair or semi-long hair.

Color

Burmilla cat coats have a silver ground color with pure white undercoats and tipping or shading in black, brown, blue, chocolate, lilac, caramel, beige, and apricot. The eyes, nose, and lips are defined by fine black lines, or "make up," which make the cat's facial features stand out. Nose leather and paw pad color are appropriate to the base color.

FAQ

How much does a Burmilla cat cost?

Burmilla cats cost between $500-$2,000.

How big does this breed cat's cat get?

Burmilla cats tend to be medium in size. A fully grown Burmilla cat might weigh between 4 - 5 kg or more and range in height anywhere from about 20 - 25 cm inches tall.

How long do Burmilla cats live?

The Average lifespan for Burmilla is 15-18+ years.

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Burmilla: Characteristics, Personality, and Breed Information

Personality and Temperament

Care

Nutrition

Grooming

Exercise

Health

History

The Breed Standard

Eyes

Legs & Paws

Tail

The Breed Standard

Body

Head

Ears

Coat

Color

FAQ

How much does a Burmilla cat cost?

How big does this breed cat's cat get?

How long do Burmilla cats live?

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